Japan? Questions & reports here. Please read OP first!

[mtw]

When is the best time to buy flights if I want to go around 18/1/13 - 7/2/13 or so? Probably Sydney to Narita, but if others are vastly cheaper they will definitely be considered.

[a777]

Originally Posted by mtw

When is the best time to buy flights if I want to go around 18/1/13 - 7/2/13 or so? Probably Sydney to Narita, but if others are vastly cheaper they will definitely be considered.

Sign up for Jetstar's Jetmail or subscribe to this thread (I'll try and post them) and just wait for those dates to be available. Usually that will fit into the block of dates on sale pretty easily (usually the travel range is early Jan until late March). I wouldn't expect to pay much over $600 return. I expect they will be on sale for those dates some time in the coming months, I checked last year and those dates went on sale in early November, then early December, then early January.

I went over for a wedding around those sort of dates and we just waited for the sales before we booked

Note that the Sapporo Snow Festival will be on Feb 5-11, 2013 if you wish to incorporate it into your itinerary!

[mtw]

Originally Posted by a777

Sign up for Jetstar's Jetmail or subscribe to this thread (I'll try and post them) and just wait for those dates to be available. Usually that will fit into the block of dates on sale pretty easily (usually the travel range is early Jan until late March). I wouldn't expect to pay much over $600 return. I expect they will be on sale for those dates some time in the coming months, I checked last year and those dates went on sale in early November, then early December, then early January.

Will do, cheers!

[chainbolt]

Originally Posted by adamadam

Thank you a777 and chainbolt! I will check out those recommendations!

I spent a few weeks in Osaka (and a few day trips to Kyoto) just over a year ago, so this trip is to look around Tokyo.

Thank you

Keep us posted, it's always interesting and helpful for others to know what people liked based on actual experience.

[Zee]

OK, I'm after a bit of advice, and let me explain...

I'm basically going to the Philippines to visit GF's family, but I'm using points from my FF, and it's pretty much cheaper to tack on an extra city than just fly direct from SYD to MNL... One of the options as a "day and a bit" side trip to Osaka.

I'd be landing at 7am on a Tuesday morning, and leaving at 4:40pm the next day.

I'm basically in to photography and food. I'd be considering this as almost a kind of "recon" trip, but is Osaka a place I'd be able to enjoy? I like to walk, and if I found an interesting area, I'd probably walk, shoot and eat all day.

I have friends in Tokyo, but it seems there are no awards tickets left to Tokyo, so it's Osaka, or somewhere else. And seeing as I've already been to Bangkok, HK, Singapore etc way more times than makes sense, I thought Osaka may be fun...

I guess I'd like to know a safe budget, and any suggestions for any interesting part(s) of Osaka to hang around in for a day and a half...

How much Japanese would I need to learn? I could probably get myself to "basic survival Japanese" within the 3 or 4 weeks before I get there (order food, ask for directions, I already know how to count thanks to martial arts from when I was in my teens - though I guess the words "punch, kick & block" are kinda useless in day to day speech)...

I'd be willing to try other cities, assuming I could find awards seats available...

Z...

[a777]

Originally Posted by Zee

I'd be landing at 7am on a Tuesday morning, and leaving at 4:40pm the next day.

Plenty of time.

I'm basically in to photography and food. I'd be considering this as almost a kind of "recon" trip, but is Osaka a place I'd be able to enjoy? I like to walk, and if I found an interesting area, I'd probably walk, shoot and eat all day.

Yes, there is a fair amount to see in Osaka. If it was me I would strongly recommend/consider going to Kyoto and seeing some of the temples/shrines. I'd probably purchase a JR West One Day Pass (2000 yen) which will get you from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, and then from Kyoto back to Osaka that night (assuming you wish to stay in Osaka).

I guess I'd like to know a safe budget, and any suggestions for any interesting part(s) of Osaka to hang around in for a day and a half...

Pick places of interest from here:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html

I'd probably suggest Dotonbori at night time
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4001.html

Kyoto information:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html

Kyoto and Osaka are only 25 minutes apart.

How much Japanese would I need to learn? I could probably get myself to "basic survival Japanese" within the 3 or 4 weeks before I get there (order food, ask for direction, I already know how to count thanks to martial arts form when I was in my teens - though I guess the words "unch, kick and block" are kinda useless in day to day speech)...

In general I think, excuse me, thank you, and hello are sufficient. Anything else is a bonus.

If you like photographic gear then there is a group of shops just south of JR Osaka Station. A huge range of second hand gear and new gear.
directions here

[Zee]

Originally Posted by a777

Plenty of time.



Yes, there is a fair amount to see in Osaka. If it was me I would strongly recommend/consider going to Kyoto and seeing some of the temples/shrines. I'd probably purchase a JR West One Day Pass (2000 yen) which will get you from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, and then from Kyoto back to Osaka that night (assuming you wish to stay in Osaka).




Pick places of interest from here:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html

I'd probably suggest Dotonbori at night time
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4001.html

Kyoto information:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html

Kyoto and Osaka are only 25 minutes apart.





In general I think, excuse me, thank you, and hello are sufficient. Anything else is a bonus.

If you like photographic gear then there is a group of shops just south of JR Osaka Station. A huge range of second hand gear and new gear.
directions here

Thanks for the tips - temples/shrines would certainly be something I'd love. I may see if I can actually fly direct to Kyoto - I just realised my flight would actually leave at 11am, 4:40p being the arrival time in Singapore on the way back. (It's amazing how an $8000 ticket works out to be the cheapest path on points).

Thanks for the links too - checking them out now...

Z...

[a777]

Originally Posted by Zee

Thanks for the tips - temples/shrines would certainly be something I'd love. I may see if I can actually fly direct to Kyoto - I just realised my flight would actually leave at 11am, 4:40p being the arrival time in Singapore on the way back. (It's amazing how an $8000 ticket works out to be the cheapest path on points).

In that case I would spend the morning and probably most of the afternoon in Kyoto until dusk and then spend the evening and night in Osaka. If you get the JR West One Day Pass then you can take the Haruka Express from Kansai Airport direct to Kyoto Station which takes just on one hour. Kansai Airport will be the best one to fly into, there are no other international airports nearby.
Kansai Airport and access
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2033.html

JR West Pass One Day Pass.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_03.html

Thanks for the links too - checking them out now...

No worries. If you need a hand planning your day in Kyoto just let us know.

I'd probably concentrate on the Higashiyama area
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3959.html
Kiyomizudera, and Kodaiji are two good options.

And then end up at Gion and Pontocho at dusk.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3921.html

Nishiki Market may also be worth a look in the afternoon or morning
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3931.html

If you don't mind an action packed day you could consider starting a little north at Ginkakuji, walk down the Philosopher's Path and visit Nanzenji/Eikando and then continue south through Maruyama park and end up at Kiyomizudera, then on to Gion/Pontocho.

Lots of walking but plenty to see!

You probably won't have time to see much in Osaka in the morning as you will have to leave early to get to the airport in time.

[Zee]

Originally Posted by a777

In that case I would spend the morning and probably most of the afternoon in Kyoto until dusk and then spend the evening and night in Osaka. If you get the JR West One Day Pass then you can take the Haruka Express from Kansai Airport direct to Kyoto Station which takes just on one hour. Kansai Airport will be the best one to fly into, there are no other international airports nearby.
Kansai Airport and access
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2033.html

JR West Pass One Day Pass.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_03.html

No worries - that answers that question plain enough. And Looks like a good day - just hope it is not raining...

No worries. If you need a hand planning your day in Kyoto just let us know.

I'd probably concentrate on the Higashiyama area
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3959.html
Kiyomizudera, and Kodaiji are two good options.

And then end up at Gion and Pontocho at dusk.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3921.html

Nishiki Market may also be worth a look in the afternoon or morning
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3931.html

If you don't mind an action packed day you could consider starting a little north at Ginkakuji, walk down the Philosopher's Path and visit Nanzenji/Eikando and then continue south through Maruyama park and end up at Kiyomizudera, then on to Gion/Pontocho.

Lots of walking but plenty to see!

You probably won't have time to see much in Osaka in the morning as you will have to leave early to get to the airport in time.

I'm good with walking. I've done quite a few 24hr trips, I'm very good at getting as much done in a day as most would do in 3 or 4, so I should be able to make a pretty awesome day of it.

Though I am considering changing my plans a tad, and turning it in to 2 days, as I have this feeling I'll be wishing I had more time when I am done. The beauty of a ~24hr trip, though, is that I know that's all I have, there is no tomorrow, so I must do it now... there's something in that, I find, that drives me to do more...

Anyway... 2 days does sound way better than one..

Z...

[a777]

Originally Posted by Zee

I'm good with walking. I've done quite a few 24hr trips, I'm very good at getting as much done in a day as most would do in 3 or 4, so I should be able to make a pretty awesome day of it.

Good to hear!

Anyway... 2 days does sound way better than one..

I would highly recommend two. You could then do Osaka on the second day. Or Nara and Osaka. Or something along those lines.

[kogi]

Yes, I found kyoto much more intersting

But if you do go to Osaka
Dōtonbori is ok to visit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori

Love the big crab place. You need to book though

http://douraku.co.jp/kansai/

[psychobunny]

Japan is now our honeymoon destination.... time to prep the trip

are there many antique shop type of places where one may pick up bargain culture based products?

[a777]

Originally Posted by PsYcHoBuNnY

Japan is now our honeymoon destination.... time to prep the trip

Awesome

are there many antique shop type of places where one may pick up bargain culture based products?

What are you after? You may find what you are looking for at the Shrine Markets in Kyoto. Kitano Tenmangu on the 25th of the month and Toji Temple on the 21st of the month. I've been to both and they are highly recommended.

[chainbolt]

Originally Posted by Zee

How much Japanese would I need to learn? I could probably get myself to "basic survival Japanese" within the 3 or 4 weeks before I get there (order food, ask for directions, I already know how to count thanks to martial arts from when I was in my teens - though I guess the words "punch, kick & block" are kinda useless in day to day speech)...

I'd be willing to try other cities, assuming I could find awards seats available...

Z...

It's always helpful to understand the local language. Speaking some Japanese isn't that difficult, it's more the reading. But for a few days or weeks I would not spend too much time for this. Better using the time to prepare the trip by studying guides. If you are in the Osaka area (called "Kansai" in Japan) have a look to Nara and Kyoto as well, in particular for photo shooting.

[psychobunny]

Originally Posted by a777

Awesome



What are you after? You may find what you are looking for at the Shrine Markets in Kyoto. Kitano Tenmangu on the 25th of the month and Toji Temple on the 21st of the month. I've been to both and they are highly recommended.

things like relics, nick nacks, stuff to decorate the house, etc. We are headed there at the start of nov for 10 says so we'll miss those markets

Id love a sword but its out of the question with the laws, maybe a mask instead and some carvings/statues, if there was a steampunk era there stuff from that too